A baby is born at term with a bilateral cleft lip and palate and a very small mandible. She requires positive-pressure ventilation because she is not breathing. You are unable to achieve a seal with bag and mask. Which intervention is indicated?
The system proved suitable for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate for whom the generated nasal mask continuous positive airway pressure remained constant between 5 to 7 cm of water but failed in the patient with bilateral cleft lip and palate. None of the patients had to be ventilated due to respiratory failure, and all survived to discharge.
